Spontaneous Recall
- Memory emerges naturally (e.g. triggered by a smell, situation, life event), not through leading questions or suggestive therapy.
Sensory Fragmentation
- Details are recalled as flashes: body sensations, sounds, smells, emotions — rather than as a neat story.
Emotional/Physiological Response
- The person has strong involuntary reactions (panic, nausea, trembling) when recalling, even if they don’t want to.
Consistency of the Core Event
- While minor details may change, the central traumatic act remains stable across tellings.
Age-Appropriate Recall
- The memory matches what a child of that age could realistically perceive/understand (e.g. confusion about adult actions, lack of adult vocabulary).
Red Flags Memory Reconstructed or Influenced
Therapist or Peer Suggestion
- The memory only appeared after hypnosis, guided imagery, or repeated encouragement to “remember abuse.”
- Involves leading questions (“Are you sure nothing happened with your uncle?”).
Narrative Smoothness
- Memory comes as a well-structured, chronological story with little fragmentation — unlike typical trauma recall.
Absence of Emotional Anchors
- Memory feels detached, intellectual, or emotionally flat, without strong physiological reactions.
Shifting Core Details
- The central event itself changes significantly over time, not just peripheral details.
Incorporation of External Influences
- The memory includes details similar to media stories, books, or other people’s accounts, raising concern about contamination.
Important Nuances
- Overlap exists: Some genuine trauma memories can be recalled smoothly (especially if repeatedly revisited), and some false ones can feel very emotional.
- Professionals don’t “test” memories directly: Instead, they focus on the person’s wellbeing, corroborating evidence (if available), and whether the memory context suggests risk of contamination.
- Clinical ethics: Good therapists avoid pushing for recall; they support the client in processing what comes up, whether or not it’s “objectively verifiable.”
Summary:
- Genuine trauma recall often appears fragmented, sensory-heavy, emotionally intense, and arises without suggestion.
- Reconstructed memory is more likely when there’s external prompting, a smooth story-like narrative, weak emotional anchoring, or changing core details.
